Myrlie Evers-Williams

Has three children: Darrell Evers, Reena Evers and James Van Evers. Has three nieces: Charlene Evers, Patricia Evers and Carolyn Evers. Has eight grandchildren: Keanon Evers, Alex Evers, Nolan Evers, Cambi Evers-Everette, Vernando Everette, Keith Everette, Daniel Everette and Nicole Everette.
Bob Dylan dedicated his song "Only a Pawn in Their Game" to the memory of her murdered husband Medgar Evers. The song appeared on his album "The Times They Are A-Changin'" (1964).
Chairperson of the NAACP from 1995 - 1998; she worked to restore the tarnished image of the organization. She also helped improve its financial status, raising enough money to eliminate its debt.
On January 21, 2013, she delivered the invocation at the second inauguration of Barack Obama. She was the first woman and the first layperson to deliver the invocation at a presidential inauguration.
Attended and graduated from Magnolia High School (Bowman High School) in Vicksburg, Mississippi (1950).

[on the 1963 murder of her husband] When Medgar was felled by that shot and I rushed out and saw him lying there and people from the neighborhood began to gather, there were also some whose color happen to have been white. I don't think I have ever hated as much in my life as I did at that particular moment with anyone who had white skin. I screamed at the neighbors and when the police finally got there, I told them that they had killed Medgar. And I can recall wanting so much to have a machine gun or something in my hand and just stand there and mow them all down. I was just -- I can't explain the depth of my hatred at that point.
[on her murdered husband] Medgar was a man who never wanted adoration, who never wanted to be in the limelight. He was a man who saw a job that needed to be done and he answered the call and the fight for freedom, dignity and justice not just for his people but for all people.

Suggest an edit or add missing content

Biography